GB1359197A - Feeding apparatus for strip material - Google Patents

Abstract

1359197 Feeding strip; stamping F J LITTELL MACHINE CO 10 Aug 1971 37550/71 Headings B3W and B3Q Apparatus 10 for feeding strip material to a punching and stamping press comprises a framework 11-19, a first feed roll 20 supported by the framework, an electric motor 23 supported by the framework above the first feed roll, gearing 28, 31, 37 operatively connected between the motor and first feed roll, a crank arm structure 60, 62, 64 for supporting a second feed roll 36 which is adapted to coact with the first feed roll, a main power cylinder 67 having a connecting relationship with the crank arm structure, and an auxiliary power cylinder 68 having a connecting relationship with the crank arm structure in a manner to oppose the main power cylinder, whereby, actuation of the auxiliary power cylinder opposes operation of the main power cylinder and causes the crank arm structure to move the second feed roll away from the first feed roll to separate the rolls to allow feeding in of the strip material to the machine. Strip material 42 enters the machine and is transversely guided by pins 43, passes through a straightener 44, between back-up rolls 50 which incorporates an overruning clutch to allow rotation for forward feeding of the strip but preventing any rearward movement, and through the intermittently rotatable feed rolls 36, 40 the motor 23 being capable of intermittent operation with an adjustable feed length. The upper back-up roll 50 is vertically movable by the cylinder 51 to facilitate initial threading of the strip material into the machine. The strip progresses to pinch rolls 52, the upper pinch roll being controlled by a pneumatic cylinder 53, and thence transversely positioned by guiding pins 54. The feed roll 36, provided with universal joints 33 to enable bodily movement with respect of the feed roll 40, is connected via spaced levers 60 to a rod 64 and yoke member 65; this in turn is connected to piston-rod 66 actuated by the main power cylinder 67. When pressurized air is admitted to the cylinder 67 the piston and rod are forced to move levers 60 so as to move roll 36 towards lower roll 40. The auxiliary cylinder 68, which is connected via lever 72 and rods 73, 64 to the master cylinder, can operate to oppose movement initiated by the main cylinder. Pressurized air admitted to the cylinder 68 results in movement of levers 72, 74 which is transmitted to levers 60 so as to move them in the. opposite direction to before, therefore lifting roll 36 away from the lower roll 40. The auxiliary cylinder 68 may be manually operated or automatically operated in timed relation with the feeding operation of the particular working machine. In an alternative embodiment, Figs. 3, 4 (not shown), provision is made for the movement of the lower feed roll (96) with respect to the upper feed roll (95).